We’re SO over cellulite!

Dimples can be cute — but not when they appear on your bum, hips and thighs.

There’s so much misinformation about cellulite so to clear up some of the rumours, we’ve answered the popular questions about the dreaded orange peel skin.

I’m skinny, why do I have cellulite?

Female hormones and lifestyle are to blame. Our diet, smoking, drinking, drugs (prescription and otherwise) and lack of exercise all contribute to the build-up of toxins responsible for the formation of cellulite.

Why don’t men get cellulite?

Apart from the fact that men are literally more thick-skinned, the male hormone testosterone seems to stop cellulite from forming. The female hormone oestrogen triggers it, and many women encounter cellulite for the first time after starting the Pill, HRT or with pregnancy.

Why is my overweight friend cellulite-free?

Cellulite is not a fat issue, you should not blame your weight. Even if you have the body of a supermodel, you can still have cottage cheese thighs.

My mother and sister have cellulite. Is it hereditary?

Hormones and lifestyle play a much stronger role in the formation of cellulite than your genes.

Does cellulite get worse with age?

Yes, age plays a role. Ageing results in a loss of thickness and tone of the connective tissue within the dermis and the superficial fat layer. Loss of collagen and elastin results in damaged and aging skin.

Does stress play a role?

Stress and lack of exercise will make your body sluggish. Stress causes high levels of cortisol which contributes to a slowing down of blood circulation and the lymphatic system, which helps your body get rid of toxins causing cellulite. Exercise is one of the best ways to deal with stress.

Will exercise help?

Exercise tones and improves circulation, so it will definitely help to improve the appearance of cellulite-affected areas and help to smooth the dimples, even if they don’t disappear altogether. When you work out, the blood flow through the arteries increases, circulation gets a boost and, as you build muscle, the cellulite becomes less obvious.

Which exercise is best?

Your best bet is to choose a form of exercise that you enjoy, says Cape Town sports scientist Kathleen Mc Quaide. “Incorporate both cardiovascular (aerobic) and some resistance exercise (toning). The resistance exercises will tone the muscles beneath the fat layers, and these will be more visible when some of the fat is lost. Resistance exercises also increase your lean tissue (muscle mass). Muscle tissue burns up more energy than fat tissue, which results in an increase in your metabolic rate.” All of this should translate into a leaner, more toned, less dimpled you!

How can diet make a difference?

A healthy diet of protein, good fats and antioxidants from plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is good for your skin. Protein (fish, chicken and eggs) is rich in hydrating essential fatty acids which restore tone and firmness to skin, says Dr Howard Murad in his book The Cellulite Solution (Piatkus). Cut out junk food which is stuffed with fat and sugar and limit your salt intake, which can cause water retention.

Will it help if I get a suntan?

A tan can camouflage that pasty cottage cheese look and create the optical illusion of smoothness and tone, BUT make it self-tan and don’t let the sun do the job. We now know that cellulite-ridden skin is damaged skin. Overexposure to the sun will further damage and weaken skin and encourage the appearance of even more — and — worse cellulite. And no, the heat doesn’t melt away the lumps. Sorry!

Does exfoliation help to smooth dimply thighs?

Brushing skin with a soft brush in long, sweeping movements towards the heart revs circulation and gets rid of dead skin cells, leaving skin rosy and glowing. Don’t be tempted to go at the offensive areas with a loofah — dermatologists warn that you can scratch the skin and even risk infection. Using an exfoliating product prepares skin to be optimally responsive to a cellulite cream or treatment following your bath or shower. Blitz hips and thighs with a high-powered shower jet, alternating hot and cold water.

Is cellulite cream a waste of money?

No. If the formulation contains the latest skincare ingredients which help to restore thick and healthy skin, you should see better skin tone and texture within weeks. You should also apply it with a vigorous and strong massage movement to stimulate circulation; use firm, strong strokes, massaging upwards to help chase toxins towards the lymph glands so they can be flushed out. Dr Murad says creams will work on 20 percent of the problem, but the rest relies on lifestyle changes.

Do supplements help?

Dr Murad suggests lecithin, glucosamine and amino acids. Antioxidants and fatty acids like omega-3 also do good. At least six cups of green tea per day have strong antioxidant and healing properties; keep the caffeine limited to the ingredient in your anti-cellulite cream! Thalgo Slim LC capsules with brown algae extract stimulate the release of stored fat and limit fat absorption; Skin Nutrition Body Beautiful Complex is packed with antioxidants like white and green tea, concentrated omega-3 oils, and the latest talked-about ingredient, rhodiola rosea, which boosts metabolism and has anti-aging properties.

What about salon treatments?

They show varying degrees of success, but will only last as long as you maintain the good work with a healthy diet and at-home follow-up treatment.

Treatments include massages and wraps; vacuum-suction and kneading; mechanical massage with compression therapy, electrical currents, ultrasound and oxygen capsules; endermology; non-invasive lasers which heat tissue deep in the dermis and mesotherapy.

A seaweed body wrap, for example, is loaded with minerals, trace elements and vitamins and improves blood circulation, nourishes the skin, detoxifies the body and improves skin firmness.

Velasmooth uses radio frequency energy and infrared light to heat up and then release fats and fluids from the cells.

Ultrashape Ultrasound waves selectively target and eliminate excess fat cells without affecting the surrounding skin tissue, nerves or blood vessels and without risk of infection or bruising.

Hypoxi therapy concentrates on your problem areas during an easy cardio training programme.

Shape readers love Power Plate workout sessions: Whole Body Vibration Therapy (WBVT) was first used to keep astronauts in shape in deep space. It’s also used to speed up recovery from sports or accidental injuries and now it wages war on cellulite as well, with celebrities like Madonna and Claudia Schiffer swearing by it. It’s said to loosen coagulated tissue and adhesions, break down fat cells and improve mobility of tissue layers. (Call the South African Association for Health & Skin Care Professionals on 011-787-7416 for information on treatments and recommended venues.)